Page 23 of Not the Bodyguard's Baby
Adam grabbed his jacket. “Call Mom and ask Dad who he put on security. I am headed to the hospital now—see if I can beat the paparazzi.”
Once in his SUV, he used the hands-free phone to call Dr. Brooks.
A receptionist answered.
“I need to speak with Dr. Brooks.”
“She is in a meeting. May I take a message?”
“This is Mr. Adam. Please tell her there has been an emergency and I am coming to the hospital now. Have her call me ASAP.” He rattled off his number before disconnecting.
A few minutes later, his mother called. “Give me twenty to get to the hospital. I am changing into something very uncomfortable and bringing more uncomfortable clothes.” Good his mom was thinking more clearly than he was. They would need disguises.
Five minutes out, he gave the hospital a second call. The same receptionist answered.
“This is Mr. Adam. May I speak with Dr. Brooks?”
“She went into another meeting. May I help you?”
“Did you give her my message from twenty minutes ago?”
“I put it in the pile on her desk.”
“This is an emergency. One of her patients is in danger. I need her to call me into security. I will be at the hospital in three minutes.”
“Sir, it isn’t visiting hours. You may not come until 6:30 p.m. unless you have special authorization.”
“That is why I am calling. This is an emergency.”
“Then I suggest you hang up and dial 911.”
The line went dead. Adam tried to shelf his frustrations as he pulled into the lot. Four or five people milled about with cameras. Paparazzi. He hoped they were enjoying the below-freezing weather. He put his gun in the car safe. No point in making security more difficult than it needed to be.
He moderated his pace so as not to draw attention as he hurried into the building. He recognized both security officers at the check-in.
“Mr. Adam, we don’t have you down for another two hours. I’m sorry, but you can’t enter.”
“I’ve been trying to call Dr. Brooks. There is an emergency involving one of her patients, but the receptionist won’t pass my message on.”
The older security guard looked him up and down. “You are one of Jethro’s boys, aren’t you?”
“You know my father?”
“Been wondering all week if you were one of his sons. Shouldn’t ask. Is the patient a client?”
“Yes.”
“Does this emergency have anything to do with the photographers gathering in the parking lot?”
“Yes, I believe so. Most of them are smart enough not to come in, but they are paparazzi or worse.”
He turned to the other guard. “Call up Dr. Brooks’ pager. And then get more security to move those people out to the street.” He turned to Adam. “Let’s get you processed. Anything else I need to know that won’t violate privacy?”
Adam checked his watch. “My mother should be here soon. But she won’t look like herself.”
“She knows me. I think I can work that out.” The older guard nodded.
The desk phone rang, and the younger guard answered. He handed the phone to Adam. “It’s Dr. Brooks.”
